Rabobank forecast: growth in food and agri

Large investments in agriculture and related sectors are
to be expected states the Rabobank in its new report "The Boom beyond
Commodities".

The demand for the "four F's" - Food, Feed, Fibre en
Fuel – is increasing worldwide. This is putting more pressure on agriculture,
which will lead to more investments, according to the report. In addition,
the Rabobank sees a global improvement of transport networks and more accessibility of
countries that have rich natural sources - and used to be
more closed for other countries.

Growth in AsiaDespite the
recent shake ups in the world economy, which resulted in high food prices, food
companies and agricultural companies will grow in the coming years. Especially
companies in Asia will experience a rapid growth. This is mainly due to the
rapid growth in population, wealth and urbanisation of this region. Other
substantial growth opportunities lay in the dairy, food processing and energy
crops among others.

Bio energy cropsIndustries related to the
production of biofuels also need more energy crops in the future, although
the authors are reserved with any predictions for the coming years. This is
because the market for energy crops now has an over capacity, the policy is not
clear and some consumer groups raise questions whether these industries are
sustainable enough to pursue their activities in bio energy.

The 18
million tonnes of extra energy crops demanded in 2012 will come for 60% from bio
fuel companies and 40% will be demanded by the feed and food industry.